Do something about DUIs

Drunken driving is the game’s biggest problem because the league and the players association have done nothing to prevent or deter players from committing this crime. And this comes after the deaths of both a drunken player behind the wheel (Josh Hancock) and a sober player (Nick Adenhart) killed by a drunk driver.

Players keep continue to get tanked and put their keys in their ignitions. And MLB and the MLBPA haven’t put rules on the books to punish offenders.

Early Tuesday morning, Milwaukee Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo became the latest big leaguer to be booked for driving under the influence of alcohol. His blood-alcohol level of .22 was nearly triple Wisconsin’s legal limit of .08. The Brewers released a statement that said they were disappointed, but the team, like the league, won’t take any further action. The state of Wisconsin will fine Gallardo a microscopic fraction of his annual salary, but he won’t face jail time because of the state’s lenient policies about DUI citations.

So, Gallardo, like the numerous other professional baseball players cited in the past three seasons (not counting non-players who work in baseball), won’t see the inside of a jail cell for any significant time. The players face only public embarrassment, but even that is no sure thing.

It’s time for MLB and the MLBPA to take a stand. It’s time to at least attempt to put an end to this problem. Until that happens, the game’s priorities are backward.

Prince of hustle

Twitter was buzzing last week because Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder beat out a double-play ball at first base to plate a run. This was “news” because Fielder’s listed weight is 275 pounds. Even @cantpredictball, an account dedicated to posts about the unexpected and surprising in baseball, tweeted about Fielder.

While I understand that a man who weighs that much and who is no taller than 5-11 isn’t supposed to do things like that, it’s time we stop pinning that label on Fielder. The guy always has hustled and run much better than a man his size is expected to. If you’ve ever seen the guy’s workout routine, you’d know there is a fair chance he is in better physical shape than most of the people who were surprised that he beat out that ground ball.

Free your closer

Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker made it known he wanted lefthander Aroldis Chapman in his bullpen, not his rotation. The Reds obliged, and Chapman again is one of the league’s best relievers.

However, Cincinnati is doing a disservice to its success by not using Chapman in the highest-leverage situations. For example, the Philadelphia Phillies sent Chase Utley to the plate as a pinch hitter against righthander Bronson Arroyo on Monday.

That situation—two outs in the eighth inning, Philadelphia down by two runs with a man on base—favored bringing in Chapman to face the left-handed-hitting Utley. But Baker stuck with Arroyo, and Utley hit a game-tying homer.

The Reds eventually won, but the outcome isn’t the point. That Baker didn’t go to Chapman isn’t the point, either.

The point is that Baker, who said he considered using Chapman against Utley, never was going to use his closer in that situation. Baker is one of the strictest managers when it comes to how he uses his closer (almost exclusively for three outs and no more).

Since Chapman isn’t a starter, Baker should maximize his value by using him in high-leverage spots when necessary. Tuesday was one of those times.

Unfriendly confines

Wrigley Field provides one of the great atmospheres in baseball for fans. But Texas Rangers DH Lance Berkman summed up the feelings of many of those who work there—media members, concession workers and players among them.

Berkman clarified his comments but didn’t back off of them when speaking to reporters before Texas’ game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

“A lot of those comments are born because I’m a .215 hitter here,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “And a lot of players base their opinions on ballparks on whether they perform well in those ballparks. I don’t mean anything personal against the Cubs organization or the Cubs fans. I just don’t enjoy performing in this venue.”

Not so lucky

The Baltimore Orioles went 29-9 in one-run games last season, the best mark in the previous 122 years. The Orioles’ bullpen and a decent amount of luck contributed to that amazing record.

That luck hasn’t been as good in a small sample this season. Baltimore is 2-3 in one-run games despite its relievers posting a 2.70 ERA in 40 innings.

The drinks don’t help

The Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers last weekend, and a group of Dodger fans spent a pretty penny ($3,000 for a 20-person suite) for what the Diamondbacks call the best seats in the house, directly behind home plate where the field is at eye level.

Kendrick confronted the group, raised his voice and pointed his finger, according to reports, because somewhere there is a rule—no one can find where exactly—that says people in that suite aren’t allowed to wear the opposing team’s gear. The ultimatum presented to them: Change into Diamondbacks gear or be escorted out of the stadium.

The group chose to change and the Diamondbacks bought them a round of drinks. But a franchise that finished 13th out of 16 National League teams in attendance last season shouldn’t treat paying customers this way.